**Kasra Dash:**
So as a fractional CMO, if I came to you as a mortgage business owner and I wanted more mortgage enquiries being generated, what strategies would you recommend, especially if I’m just starting out?

**James Dooley:**
If you’re a mortgage broker looking to grow your business, the first thing you need to get right is branding. You need to choose the right brand, the right niche, and the right domain name. Once that’s done, the next step is getting a website built. That is always the starting point.

Once your branding is set, you should secure matching social media accounts. That means Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, anywhere your potential clients might be spending time.

One thing to remember is that SEO takes time, especially in finance. You are not going to rank overnight. Because of that, there are a few quick wins I would recommend when you are just starting out. Daily posting on LinkedIn is one of them. That can even lead to commercial mortgage enquiries, which usually pay far more than residential deals.

Another quick win is Facebook Marketplace. These are free listings and take only a few minutes to set up. When people search Facebook Marketplace, they can see that you offer mortgages and enquire directly. You can literally set this up today.

**Kasra Dash:**
So once someone has done Facebook Marketplace and they’ve got a website live, what should they be doing next?

**James Dooley:**
If I was a mortgage broker, the first thing I would do next is find a quality lead generation company. I am slightly biased because I own FatRank, but FatRank offers a no risk supply of enquiries. You only pay when you convert. That removes the risk completely, so I would always start there.

I also would not put all my eggs in one basket. I would use FatRank for specialist enquiries, then also test one or two other lead generation platforms like Bark. That gets leads coming in immediately, which you can start converting into profit.

Once you have leads coming in today, then you can start focusing on long term growth like SEO.

**Kasra Dash:**
One thing we see a lot with platforms like Bark is speed. If someone gets a lead at two in the afternoon and does not follow up until the next day, that lead is usually gone. Would you agree?

**James Dooley:**
Absolutely. Speed is critical. On platforms like Bark, if you are slow to respond or slow to purchase the lead, another broker has already spoken to them.

When it comes to SEO, ranking position one matters a lot. If you rank position four or five, the clicks you get are often from people who have already spoken to competitors and are price shopping. They tend to be the worst quality leads.

For SEO, every service you offer should have its own dedicated, optimised page. Commercial mortgages, residential mortgages, first-time buyer mortgages, all of them. These pages should be optimised for your local area. After that, you need link building, which is other websites mentioning and linking to your site.

**Kasra Dash:**
A lot of brokers still look at traditional advertising like radio, magazines, and billboards. What’s your view on that?

**James Dooley:**
The main problem with traditional advertising is tracking return on investment. You cannot accurately measure how many enquiries came from a billboard or a radio ad. Digital channels like Facebook ads, Google Ads, and SEO allow you to track performance properly.

Another issue with platforms like Bark is that the same lead is often sold to four or five brokers. You do not get exclusivity. Exclusive, real time leads always convert better.

SEO also plays a big role in branding and reputation management. People will Google your business name before committing. Reviews, testimonials, and how professional you look online can make or break a deal.

**Kasra Dash:**
Beyond new enquiries, what else should brokers be thinking about for growth?

**James Dooley:**
Word of mouth is the best converting lead type, but the volume is limited. You still need SEO, PPC, social media, and lead generation to build consistent enquiries.

Another powerful strategy is using your CRM properly. If you set someone up on a four year mortgage, you should have a reminder at three and a half years to contact them before renewal. That allows you to remortgage existing clients instead of always chasing new ones.

You should also focus on increasing average transactional value. That means offering life insurance, income protection, or working with conveyancers. Increasing revenue per client allows you to spend more on customer acquisition.

Once your backend is strong, you can afford to outspend competitors on lead generation and still remain profitable.

**Kasra Dash:**
That’s where having a clear plan really matters.

**James Dooley:**
Exactly. Hiring a fractional CMO or consultant, even for one hour, can make a massive difference. A good consultant can quickly identify wasted spend, missed opportunities, and create a plan for lead generation, SEO, and reputation management.

**Kasra Dash:**
If you’re watching this, leave a comment and let us know how you’re currently growing your mortgage broker business.

**James Dooley:**
And if you want more advice, you can contact me at mejames.com.

**Kasra Dash:**
Or reach me at kasradash.com. Both links will be in the description. We strongly recommend booking a 30 minute consultation to work out what strategies make the most sense for your mortgage broker business.